NASA Glenn Research Center Name Change
On March 1, 1999, the Lewis Research Center was officially renamed the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. The name change was
celebrated with a full day of festivities on May 7, 1999.
Background
On October 21, 1998, President Clinton signed an act into law stating that the center shall be designated the John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. On March 1, 1999, NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin signed the official designation implementing the name change.
Sen. Mike DeWine of Ohio proposed the name change in an appropriations bill. According to DeWine, the name recognized the contributions of two outstanding men, Ohio Astronaut
John H. Glenn and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics' (NACA's) first Executive Officer,
George W. Lewis.
The center is honored to bear the names of these two great men. The blending of names reflects the pioneering aerospace technology research that Glenn employees have performed throughout the center's history and will continue to perform in the future.
Official Press Release:
NASA Announces Field Center Name Change
History of Center Names
| January 1941 |
NACA Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory |
To reflect initial mission |
| April 1947 |
NACA Flight Propulsion Research Laboratory |
To reflect expanding role in propulsion research |
| September 1948 |
NACA Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory |
To honor George W. Lewis |
| October 1, 1958 |
NASA Lewis Research Center |
NACA dissolved and center officially became part of NASA |
| March 1, 1999 |
NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field |
To honor both John H. Glenn and George W. Lewis |
| *NACA=National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NASA's predecessor) |
